Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-13
NO UNCERTAIN SOUND.
The President Defines His Action n
the Fisheries TrOublc.
Blaine At His Old Tricks to Win Pop
ularity.
Tho Carpenters Strike In Chfcago-mi-
ners Amalgsmsting With the AniSn's
-News of All Sorts From Everywhere.

having received a communication rom tne
| American Fisheries Union OF Massachu'
setts calling attention to the fisheries dis
pute. and suggesting that the retallatory
act passed by the late congress would, In
their opinion, he sufficiently executed II the
proposed retaliation was concerned and
confined in the United States market to
Canadian fish product, be has made the
following answer:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Oct
April Z, 1887.
To Geo. Steele, President American Fishery
Onion. and Others, Gloucester. Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN: I have received your letter
lately addressed to me and have given full
consideration to the expression OF views
and wishes therein contained in relation to
the existing differences between the Gov
ern nent of OR. at Britain and the United
States, growing out OF the refusal to
award to our citizens engaged in fishing
enterprises the privileges to which they are
entitled, either under stipulations or guar
antees of International comfy and neigh
borly concession. I sincerely trust the ap-
prehension you express, OF unjust and I'M
friendly treatment of American fishermen
lawfully found in Canadian waters will not
be realized, but if such apprehension
should prove to be well founded, 1 earnestly
hope that no FAULT or inconsiderate action
of any of our citizens will in the least
weaken the just position of our Govern
ment or deprive us of the universal sympa-
thy and support to which we should be en-
titled.
The action Of this administration since
June, 1885, when the fishery articles of the
treaty of 1871 were terminated under a
notification which had two years before
been given by our Government. has been
fully disclosed by correspondence between
the departments and appropriate depart
ments of the respective governments,
with which I am apprised by your letter
you are entirely familiar. An examina-
ton of this correspondence has doubtless
satisfied you that in no case have the
rights or privileges of American fishermen
been overlooked or neglected, but that, on
the contrary, they have been s%edul"usly
insisted upon and cared for by every
means within the control of the executive
branch of the Government.
The act OF Congress approved March 5,
1887, authorizing a course of retaliation
through executive action in the event of
continuance on the part of British Amer
lean authorities of u~nfriendly conduct aud
treaty violations affecting American fisher
men. has devolved upon the President of
the United States exceedingly grave and
solemn responsibilities, compromising
highly important consequences to our
national character and dignity and involv-
ing extremely valuable commercial inter-
course between the British possessions of
North America and the people of the
United States.
letter is to suggest that, in case course to
rofo lilo fnrU nooanroo onfhnrIYoN hv this
act should be invoked by unjust treatment
OF our fishermen in future, the object Of
such retaliation might be fully accomplish
ed by ''prohibiting Canadian caught fish
from entering into ports of the United
States" The existing controversy is one
in which two nations are parties concern
ed. Retaliation contemplated by the act
OF Congress is to be enforced, not to pro-
tect solely any particular interest, how
ever meritorious or valuable, but to MAIN
tain the national honor and thus protect
all our people. In this view, a violation OF
American fishery rights and unjust
or unfriendly acts towards a por-
ton of our citizens engaged in this
business is but an occasion for action and
constitutes a national a~ffront, which gives
birth to, or may Justify retaliation. This
measure once resorted to, it's effectiveness
and value may we'll depend upon the
.thoroughness and extent OF it's applica-
ton; and in the performance of interna-
tioDal duties, enforcement OF international
rights and the protection OF our citizens,
this Government and the people of the
United States must act as a unit, all intent
upon attaining the best result of retalia-
ton upon the basis of maintenance of the
national honor and duty. A nation seek
ing by any means to maintain it's honor,
and integrity is engaged in protect
ing the rights of it's people, and if in
such efforts, particular interests areinjured
and especial advantage is forfeited, these
things should be %patintally borne for the
public good. The immense volume of pop
manufactures and agricultural
and marine tonnage and rail- |
ways to which these have given activity |
are all largely the result of intercourse be- |
tween the United States and British Amer
lea, and the natural growth of full half a
century of good neighborhood and friendly |
communication form an aggregate of ma
wealth and incidental relations of
most impressive magnitude.
l fully appreciate these things, and am
not unmindful OF the great number of our
people who are concerned in such vast and
diversified interests. In the performance
such a duty, which Congress has i'm
posed upon me. l shall deem myself bound
TO inflict no unnecessary damage or injury
Upon any portion of our people, but l
shall nevertheless be unfIinchinglv
by a sense of what self respect and
the dignity OF the nation demand in the
and support of the honor of
The Government beneath which every citi-
zen may repose in safety. No sacrifice of
personal or private interests shall be con-
as against the general welfare.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CIEvEI. Nd |